England World Cup squad/11

[aaron1867]

I would take Carrick, then we could possibly try and play for 0-0 draws

[samurai]

Michael Carrick is arguably the best English passer of the ball in the premier league. One of the England teams biggest failings in big tournaments is a lack of possession leading to situations,too numerous to mention,where we have spent at least half the match camped in our own half. Occasionally a goal kick or Hollywood pass will end up at the feet of the opposition centre backs or going out for a goal kick. We've all seen this happen in every competition since 1996, finishing matches desperately clinging on for a draw as wave after wave of attacks crash down on our penalty area.

I humbly suggest that Messrs Henderson, Jones and even to a certain extent Gerrard are unlikely to help England to address this failing. Lamps has been a Chelsea sub for some time and as has been apparent for God knows how many years isn't an ideal foil for Stevie G whilst Wiltshire has barely played for some time and hasn't really fulfilled his undoubted potential since his first bad injury. He also gets hurt far too often. Barkley and Lallana aren't holding centre midfielders.

I'm not suggesting Carrick would have won us the tournament but surely common sense dictates his style of play is far more suited to the style of play requisite in the temperatures England may encounter and against the quality of opposition where some ball retention is necessary. Sir Alex rated him after all and he's not a bad judge!

[TightEnd]

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[Acidmouse]

Michael Carrick is arguably the best English passer of the ball in the premier league.

He can pass a ball backwards or sideways. No assists this year tells you everything you need to know about him.

[samurai]

Banal. I'd have thought 5 premier league titles and a champions league winner says rather more. No?

[TightEnd]

Banal. I'd have thought 5 premier league titles and a champions league winner says rather more. No?

Would far rather go with Henderson/barkley/lallana etc

realistically we aren't winning it, so would like to get these lads experience for 2018

would have been far more pissed off to leave out a good 22 year old for carrick than the other way round

carrick is a good player, but you can't say he is a game changer compared to some of the talents picked, he is simply not


if walcott, rodriguez etc were fit then there were genuine selection hadaches, as it is it basically picked itself

obviously centre half depth is by far the weak link in the squad

[Dubai]

Could have got Scott Parker next to Carrick in Brazil and they could have passed the ball all the way back to Heathrow

[Nakor]

Banal. I'd have thought 5 premier league titles and a champions league winner says rather more. No?

obviously centre half depth is by far the weak link in the squad

Not right back?
I understand Johnson is about the only option, but cover seems woeful.
Stones over Smalling for me.

[TightEnd]

well phil jones covers right back. perhaps better put depth across the defence the biggest issue. an injury or two and a suspension and

you have jones-jagielka-smalling-shaw across the back four

best not to think about it


i think there was a genuine argument for stones and flanagan over jones and smalling but probably a step too far

[Karabiner]

Amazing that we have no specialist RB in the squad, not that I can think of any alternatives other than Jenks.

[TightEnd]

stones is in the squad if phil jones shoulder doesn't mend in time, expected recovery 3 weeks


11 of the 23 have less than 10 caps. it might be painful short term but i think that bodes very well for the future

far better than picking carrick, defoe etc

[mondatoo]

On the positive Gary Cahill is a boss.

That's all I got

[samurai]

Dont get me wrong I don't think Carrick is a game changer. Are Lampard or Henderson? Hard to argue Wilshire is currently tbh. What I am saying is possession wins matches. See Kevin Pullein for stats. Not every midfielder has to be a flair player.

When England lost to Italy,Brazil, Portugalx3, Germany and Argentina we spent,at least two thirds of the matches camped in our half giving the ball away every time we had it. Everyone moans about it but nothing changes. Can easily visualize Lallana and/or Barkley coming on after 70 mins with us needing a goal and chasing shadows. Gerrard knackered from all his defensive duties, Rooney fuming etc etc

[kinboshi]

Makes no difference who the personnel are if Hodgson insists on playing hoof-ball and tries to bypass the the midfield.

[pleno1]

Michael Carrick is arguably the best English passer of the ball in the premier league. One of the England teams biggest failings in big tournaments is a lack of possession leading to situations,too numerous to mention,where we have spent at least half the match camped in our own half. Occasionally a goal kick or Hollywood pass will end up at the feet of the opposition centre backs or going out for a goal kick. We've all seen this happen in every competition since 1996, finishing matches desperately clinging on for a draw as wave after wave of attacks crash down on our penalty area.

I humbly suggest that Messrs Henderson, Jones and even to a certain extent Gerrard are unlikely to help England to address this failing. Lamps has been a Chelsea sub for some time and as has been apparent for God knows how many years isn't an ideal foil for Stevie G whilst Wiltshire has barely played for some time and hasn't really fulfilled his undoubted potential since his first bad injury. He also gets hurt far too often. Barkley and Lallana aren't holding centre midfielders.

I'm not suggesting Carrick would have won us the tournament but surely common sense dictates his style of play is far more suited to the style of play requisite in the temperatures England may encounter and against the quality of opposition where some ball retention is necessary. Sir Alex rated him after all and he's not a bad judge!

whilst i agree with your sentiments completely i have to disagree about gerrard and henderson. one of the main reasons liverpool did so well is that gerrard and henderson worked very very hard and recylced possession again and again. i was previously very skeptical about gerrard as he went for the (for the want of a better world) world cup pass every time. now i think he is a lot more mature and disciplined player who isnt going to be gallaping up the field at any opportunity.

i really, really dont think wilshire should play.

id definitely have

      gerrard   henderson


sterling    rooney    ox

           sturridge

id love to play barkley, but just think he is the natural successor of gerrard and plays a little bit too immature for the big stage right now.

perhaps starting lallana instead of either of the wingers could be a good idea but i just think having a very disciplined anchor 2 and then 3 very creative guys infront of them giving full freedom to cause havoc will unsettle teams like uruguay/italy and hopefully later brazil, argentina and co.

main worry for me is the defence, its just not world class.